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Halftime Observations: Bengals' Offense Struggling, Trail Patriots 10-0

The Bengals struggled in the first half...

James Rapien

Sep 8, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (38) runs with the ball against Cincinnati Bengals safety Geno Stone (22) in the first half at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
Sep 8, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (38) runs with the ball against Cincinnati Bengals safety Geno Stone (22) in the first half at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images / Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
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CINCINNATI — The Bengals trail the Patriots 10-0 at halftime. Here are our first half observations:

Slow Start

The Bengals struggled in the first quarter. The offense generated just 17 yards of total offense in two possessions. Meanwhile, the Patriots racked up 107 total yards and scored a touchdown on the first play of the second quarter.

Cincinnati went three-and-out on their first three possessions.

On their fourth possession, they drove 58 yards in 13 plays and appeared tie the game when Joe Burrow found Mike Gesicki for a touchdown. Unfortunately for the Bengals, the play was reviewed and the ball hit the ground.

Burrow found Tanner Hudson on the next play in the middle of the field. The veteran tight end stretched the ball out to get it across the goal line. Patriots safety Kyle Dugger hit the ball out of Hudson's hand and Marcus Jones recovered for New England.

The Patriots outgained the Bengals 174-77 in total yards. They have 11 first downs and the Bengals have four. New England also ran 11 more plays than Cincinnati in the first half.

Team Record

Bengals rookie punter Ryan Rehkow set a new team record in the first quarter when he had an 80-yard punt. The ball nearly went out of bounds at the one-yard line, but bounced into the endzone for a touchback.

Rehkow's punt breaks the previous record (75 yards) that was previously held by Kevin Huber and Kyle Larson.

The Bengals Will Win If...

They need their offense to get going. They've struggled in nearly every area possible. Burrow 10-of-13 for 70 yards, but he hasn't pushed the ball downfield much and the offense is out of sync.

Defensively, they need to find a way to force a turnover or two. Jacoby Brissett hasn't been sacked either, which is a major issue. They need to do a better job of stopping the run (94 yards) and getting pressure on Brissett.

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Published
James Rapien

JAMES RAPIEN

James Rapien covers the Bengals for Sports Illustrated's AllBengals.com and is one-half of the Locked on Bengals Podcast. He's also the co-owner/creator of Cincinnati Bengals Talk on YouTube. He earned a journalism degree from the University of Cincinnati and has spent the majority of his professional career in the Queen City. Rapien previously covered the Cavaliers and Indians in Cleveland. He has a background in radio, which includes stops at 700 WLW, ESPN 1530 and 92.3 The Fan. He loves a good trade rumor and uses copious amounts of hot sauce on his food. Cincinnati chili is his go-to meal, followed by gallons of mint chocolate chip ice cream for dessert. When he isn't working or eating, he's probably walking his dog Finley or spending time with family.  

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